8.6 - Taiga Forests - Conservation

Question 1

What is the taiga forest conservation technique ‘creating a wilderness area’?

Answer 1

An area that is undisturbed by human activity that is managed with the aim of protecting the landscape

Question 2

What is the taiga forest conservation technique ‘creating a national park?’?

Answer 2

An area that is mostly in its natural state that is managed to protect biodiversity and promote recreation

Question 3

What is the taiga forest conservation technique ‘sustainable forestry’?

Answer 3

Ways of harvesting timber from the forest without damaging it in the long term

Question 4

What are the benefits of sustainable forestry?

Answer 4

• Limits can be placed on number of trees felled allowing forest to regenerate
• Companies may be required to regenerate area after logging
• Selective logging means some trees remain to become part of the new forest

Question 5

What are the challenges of selective logging

Answer 5

• Some countries struggle to enforce restrictions (illegal logging)
• There may be a lack of clear management or information about the ecosystem
• Different groups may not agree with rules and restrictions

Question 6

What are the benefits of creating a national park?

Answer 6

• May be established to protect particular species
• often covers large area
• Unsustainable human activity not permitted
• Good access for tourists and recreational users

Question 7

What are the benefits of creating wilderness areas?

Answer 7

• Have highest level of protection since most human activity is banned
• Usually covers a large area so large scale processes such as animal migration can still take place

Question 8

What are the challenges of creating wilderness areas?

Answer 8

• They are hard to police (as large and remote)
• There is economic pressure on governments from companies wanting to use the resources
• Pressure from companies and tourists to build roads to allow greater access

Question 9

What are the challenges of creating a national park?

Answer 9

• They must take into account the needs of indigenous peoples
• Tourism may be required to pay for the area, but infrastructure and pollution from tourists can harm the area

Question 10

Why do some people think taiga forest should be protected?

Answer 10

• They store lots of carbon so deforestation will release some of this global warming
• Some species are only found in taiga forest and due to specific adaptions could become extinct
• Many indigenous people depend on the forest for traditional way of life

Question 11

Why are some people for exploitation of taiga forest?

Answer 11

• The demand for resources is increasing
• Forest industries provide a lot of jobs
• The exploitation of the forest generates a lot of wealth for countries involved